Willie Foster & The Juke Joints - Live! (1999) [CD Rip]

Personnel:
Harp, Vocals – Willie Foster
Guitar – Michel Staat, Mickey Rogers (2)
Bass – Peter Van Merode
Drums – Peter Kempe
Harmonica – 'Sonny Boy' Van Der Broek* (tracks: 8 to 10)
Saxophone – Ko Zuidweg
Trumpet – Rinus Zuidweg

Recorded live at the Arsenal Theater - Vlissingen, Holland on March 17, 1999

Willy Foster was raised in the classic blues tradition, born on a farm just outside Leland, Mississippi, he started picking cotton when just eight years old, and entertained himself blowing harmonica with his childhood friend and neighbour, Jimmy Reed.

After serving in Europe during the Second World War, he moved to St. Louis and then Chicago, where he would work Maxwell Street, playing for tips, honing his skills, aided by Walter Horton, eventually graduating to the Chicago club scene where he played regularly with Floyd Jones, his cousin Leroy Foster, Snooky Pryor and Lazy Bill Lucas, before joining and touring with Muddy Waters' band in 1953. He made his recording debut in 1953, releasing the single ”Falling Rain Blues/Four Day Jump” on Parrot to be followed by a session for Cobra in 1957, which prduced ”Crying The Blues/Little Girl”.

In 1990 he was asked to go on tour with the New Zealand based Midge Marsden Band. Because of the big succes Willy would make several other tours over there in the next four years. He also did a television commercial for Foster's Beer that was broadcasted in New Zealand and Australia.

In 1994 Willy got in touch with guitarslinger Bobby Mack from Austin, Texas, and recorded with him his first CD ”I Found Joy”. Also in 1994 Willy met the Dutch bluesband The Juke Joints when performing at the Delta Blues Festival in Greenville, Mississippi. They did a short tour together and became very good friends.

After Willy's second CD ”My Life”, also with Bobby Mack, he played more then ever and was invited at the famous Blues Estafette in Holland. The Juke Joints did a Holland tour in 1999 together with Willy, which was a very big succes. This CD is one of these concerts! ~Paul J. Broussard Jr.